Written Answers Nos. 511-526
511. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the case of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly, and when the person may expect a decision on an application under the medical card scheme. [28273/15]
View answerThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information has issued to Oireachtas members.
If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office who will follow up the matter with them.
512. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the case of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and when the person may expect a decision on an application under the medical card scheme. [28274/15]
View answerThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information has issued to Oireachtas members.
If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office who will follow up the matter with them.
513. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the case of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly; and when the person may expect a decision on an application under the medical card scheme. [28275/15]
View answerThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information has issued to Oireachtas members.
If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office who will follow up the matter with them.
514. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the case of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly; and when the person may expect a decision on an application under the medical card scheme. [28276/15]
View answerThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information has issued to Oireachtas members.
If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office who will follow up the matter with them.
515. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the case of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly; and when the person may expect a decision on an application under the medical card scheme. [28277/15]
View answerThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information has issued to Oireachtas members.
If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office who will follow up the matter with them.
516. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the case of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly; and when the person may expect a decision on an application under the medical card scheme. [28278/15]
View answerThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information has issued to Oireachtas members.
If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office who will follow up the matter with them.
517. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the case of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly; and when the person may expect a decision on an application under the medical card scheme. [28279/15]
View answerThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information has issued to Oireachtas members.
If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office who will follow up the matter with them.
518. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the case of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly; and when the person may expect a decision on an application under the medical card scheme. [28280/15]
View answerThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information has issued to Oireachtas members.
If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office who will follow up the matter with them.
519. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the case of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly; and when the person may expect a decision on an application under the medical card scheme. [28281/15]
View answerThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information has issued to Oireachtas members.
If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office who will follow up the matter with them.
520. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the case of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly; and when the person may expect a decision on an application under the medical card scheme. [28282/15]
View answerThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information has issued to Oireachtas members.
If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office who will follow up the matter with them.
521. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the case of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly; and when the person may expect a decision on an application under the medical card scheme. [28283/15]
View answerThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information has issued to Oireachtas members.
If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office who will follow up the matter with them.
522. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the case of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly; and when the person may expect a decision on an application under the medical card scheme. [28284/15]
View answerThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information has issued to Oireachtas members.
If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office who will follow up the matter with them.
523. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the reason the purpose-built cystic fibrosis unit at Cork University Hospital is not open, despite €2 million having been raised by the Build4Life Group. [28285/15]
View answerI welcome the completion of the new 20 bed CF and respiratory unit at Cork University Hospital. This unit, with single bedrooms and state of the art infection control, will be a great boost for CF patients and their families in the region. The construction of new paediatric CF facilities at CUH has also started.
I am aware of concerns about delays in opening the new inpatient unit at the hospital. I am advised that, while it is completed and fitted out, there are difficulties with staffing the unit. Recruitment of nurses is an issue, not just for CUH, but nationally and internationally. I have been assured that CUH is actively recruiting nursing staff and will open the unit as soon as it can be safely and effectively staffed. The National Recruitment Service has been asked to prioritise this issue.
524. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health the position regarding access to specialist after-care services for all kidney and pancreas transplant patients; the position regarding the continuation of the specialist outpatient clinic at Beaumont Hospital in Dublin 9, following the retirement of a consultant surgeon (details supplied); if a consultant nephrologist has been appointed to fill this post; if so, when the clinic will reopen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28296/15]
View answerThe consultant who undertook pancreas transplants at Beaumont Hospital retired at the end of 2014. While Beaumont Hospital is making every effort to recruit a suitable replacement, the hospital is also collaborating with St. Vincent’s University Hospital in relation to a combined approach to kidney/pancreas transplants. It is proposed that pancreas transplants, of which 6 were performed in 2014, will move to St. Vincent’s University Hospital. Most pancreas transplants are combined with a kidney transplant. The arrangements being put in place for such cases will involve transplant surgeons from St. Vincent’s University Hospital and Beaumont Hospital working together on the St. Vincent’s campus.
The transplant clinic for people who have already received a kidney and/or pancreas transplant remains at Beaumont Hospital. While some patients are currently being reviewed at this clinic, others have over the years been referred back to their consultant nephrologists and are being managed by them.
Individual care pathways are being discussed with the patients who are still being seen in Beaumont. Some of these patients will be referred to a consultant nephrologist for on-going care while others will remain in the dual care of the transplant surgeon and their consultant nephrologist.
525. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the reason that the Health Service Executive offered funding at a level that is at least 50% lower than that which was assessed on a needs basis by Gheel service providers for autistic services (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28297/15]
View answer612. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will provide support to Gheel Autism Services in Dublin 3, given that their funding is insufficient for 24 young persons. [28739/15]
View answer685. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the further resources which will be made available to Gheel Autism Services, in view of the current funding crisis faced by the organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29129/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 525, 612 and 685 together.
The Government currently provides funding of almost €1.5 billion to the Disability Services Programme through the Health Service Executive's (HSE's) National Service Plan for 2015. This funding is providing disability services throughout the country and is spent in line with nationally agreed policy for disability services whilst at the same time endeavouring to maximise value. The health service as a whole has to operate within the parameters of funding available to it and given the current economic environment, this has become a major challenge for all stakeholders, including the HSE, voluntary service providers, services users and their families.
In relation to the service matters raised by the Deputy, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office and they will follow the matter up with the HSE.
526. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Health his plans to include the new Eircode postcode in all schemes and administrative roles operated by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28317/15]
View answerAll of the administrative systems in my Department have the capacity to record the new Eircode. All new stocks of preprinted stationery will include Eircode.
The HSE specified the implementation of Eircode in the national Primary Care Reimbursement Service (PCRS) client database as a key priority in the HSE's National Service Plan 2015 and included its delivery in the Primary Care Operational Plan 2015. It has established a national team to coordinate the implementation of Eircodes in the Health Service. PCRS, which holds the largest client database in the health service, has worked with the national Eircode project to ensure that this database is seeded with Eircodes from the outset. PCRS will be central to the dissemination of Eircodes throughout the health system.
The HSE National Ambulance Service has engaged with the national Eircode project and is in the process of developing its new National Ambulance Control ICT System which will be Eircode enabled.
HSE offices will phase in Eircode fields into forms as it reprints and restocks them.
I warmly welcome the introduction of Eircode which I believe will be of significant benefit to the health service.
